Wigan manager Roberto Martinez thinks his side's 1-0 win over Manchester United was a 'historic' moment for the football club.
Boss eyeing bright future for Latics
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez thinks his side's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday was a 'historic' moment for the football club.
Shaun Maloney's curler five minutes into the second half gave the Latics their first ever win over United and ensured they climbed out of the bottom three.
Athletic are once again building momentum going into the final stages of the season and this victory is the latest in a impressive string of results that gives them real hope of staying in the Premier League.
Speaking to
Sky Sports after the game Martinez was full of praise for his players' efforts.
"I think we had to work very, very hard and it is fair to say from a football point of view we stopped Man United playing, we had to defend really well," said the Spaniard.
"When you see the statistics saying one shot on target and three corners it tells you how hard we had to work.
"The most pleasing aspect was how well we were able to keep the ball and create chances.
"The players deserve a huge amount of credit. It shows how hard we've been working and what standards they have set and I hope they get the credit they deserve."
Martinez was left furious midway through the first half when Victor Moses saw his header disallowed for an apparent push on David De Gea by Steven Caldwell, a decision coming just days after Wigan were on the wrong side of some controversial officiating against Chelsea.
Result
However, Martinez did not want to discuss the incident after the game, choosing instead to focus on the result.
"It was blow at that time, but I said I didn't want to speak about refereeing decisions, I think today is a historic day for us," he added.
"To get the win in the manner we did and the way the fans pushed us over the line in the last few minutes, It was an historic moment.
"There a were controversial calls, some for some against, but overall I think it's fair to say we deserved to win, we played really, really well.
"We are out of the bottom three which is a great physiological boost but we have another five crucial games in front of us and there will be many twists and turns until the end."
Maritnez was also quick to dispel rumours that had spread before the game, suggesting he was ready to quit the club at the end of the season.
"I'm surprised why that story has come out, you have to ask where it has come from," he said.
"In the summer we have agreed with the chairman a new long-term contract and that's the situation so it's not true at all.
"Whatever comes from the outside will get us stronger, the fans, chairman, directors and players have a real focus and that's the future of Wigan Athletic."
